Are workers in Cambridge on the verge of burn out?

If you do too much overtime you get stressed - and risk a big clock appearing over your head

Sign up to FREE email alerts from CambridgeLive - daily

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Be careful folks, people in Cambridge could be on the brink of burn-out due to the high amount of overtime being put in by staff in the city.

So says research from workspace provider Regus, which reveals that workers in Cambridge are allowing work tasks to encroach heavily on free-time.

The company carried out a survey targeting UK professionals in order to identify typical patterns working and productivity. For many respondents it appears that working structures are simply not geared to delivering a work/life balance that enables adequate rest and relaxation. Nearly two fifths (38%) of Cambridge professionals admit to working overtime at the weekend or on holiday. This is higher than the UK average (30%).

In January, France passed a law establishing workers’ “right to disconnect”, requiring companies with more than 50 employees to establish hours when staff should not send or answer emails. No such law exists in the UK, but the issue of mental health in the UK has been high on the agenda recently thanks to the campaigning of Prince Harry.

Richard Morris, UK CEO, Regus, said: “There is no lack of awareness around mental wellbeing and about how employers can improve working structures for employees. However, this awareness needs to now translate into tangible action and strategy.

“Studies prove that the commute remains a major cause of stress and unhappiness yet still employees are asked to battle busy rush hour traffic simply to be present at a designated location. This is an archaic and outdated model.”

Certainly, the rigid commuting model of beating traffic and cramming on trains (or guided buses) to arrive at a fixed location at a set-time is proven to raise stress-levels. Respondents identified a more flexible workplace approach as being beneficial to wellbeing.

Almost half (47%) stated that they believed working from a professional location nearer to their home could help improve their work/life balance. And, 56% of respondents stated that they intend to work remotely in the coming year in order to improve morale.

Morris added: “By embracing flexibility and enabling employees to work closer to home, employers will be rewarded with a workforce that is better equipped to provide its best work.

“The onus is on UK firms to take a pro-active stance and to put worker wellbeing first.”